Cardamom-Saffron Tea Cookies

Today we celebrated Diwali again. Yes, I know, it’s more than two weeks past the real Diwali, yet we are not done celebrating it yet. This is probably my 4th Diwali celebration this year. This time it was at the Deloitte office. I have been with the firm for just two weeks now, yet, it feels like I have been here always. Friendly welcoming people. This is what you want, right? Speaking for myself – It’s the people who keeps i

The Diwali Luncheon was bustling with festive spirit. Most of the partners and senior partners of the firm were all dressed in Indian attire, there were various food stalls, a henna lady was doing henna art in the corner. There was wine and coffee and other drinks served in another corner. It was Diwali Celebration alright.

I saw a batch of Mexican Wedding Cookies along with a massive bowl of gulab jamun in the party and I naturally went for the Mexican Wedding Cookies. There is no way, I would leave those cookies alone. A big big fan of those cookies. Last year, for Christmas I made a big batch and it disappeared fast.

This year, I thought of baking some cookies as well, but give it an Indian flair. Just imagine eating soft, delicate Mexican wedding cookies laced with layers of cardamom and saffron flavors…, thats excatly how the Cardamom Saffron Tea Cookies tasted.

Every third person I know loves Cardamom. The smell and flavor of cardamom is irresistibly uplifting. And these Cardamom-Saffron Tea Cookies have a very distinct cardamom and saffron flavor to it. Every bite that you take, you can actually taste the cardamom. The texture is more of like a shortbread which is kind of less chewy and more melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

These Cardamom-Saffron Tea Cookies are simple, quick and delicious. They need only a few ingredients. Flour, sugar, butter, cardamom and saffron of course. The nuts are optional but if you add them, you won’t regret it since they add that nutty crunch to your already awesome cookies.

You will find the edges to be a little crisp and the middle part to be soft. These Cardamom-Saffron Tea Cookies are really fun to make as well. For a deeper yellow, I actually added a little bit of turmeric.

Make a batch or two for Christmas and Thanksgiving this year. They are perfect for holiday gifts or to nosh on any time of year.

INGREDIENTS:

A pinch of saffron soaked in 4 tbsp milk

A pinch of turmeric for color

1 and 1/2 TBSP cardamom powder

3/4 cup butter

6 TBSP Sugar

9 TBSP plain flour

½ tsp baking powder

2 TBSP semolina

A few pistachios, chopped

METHOD:

Cream the butter and sugar together.

Mix in the flour, baking powder and semolina and add the saffron and turmeric milk milk to make a stiff dough.

Mix in the pistachios

Wrap the dough in cling film and chill for 30 minutes, while heating the oven to 300°F.

Make small balls out of the dough and place on greased baking sheets, leaving gaps between each cookie as they will spread a little.

Such lovely photos of what look to be delicious cookies! For me, there is nothing nicer than curling up with a good book, accompanied by a strong pot of tea and of course a big plate of cookies. I can’t wait to make a batch of these babies soon!

oh my gosh I have to try these! I love anything with cardamom in, I like to add vanilla to my cardamom cookies and my vanilla cardamom simple syrup for coffee, gives it a nice bit of warmth and coziness.

These look beautiful! Something different to try for sure! I’m always looking for new recipes to try out. I did some holiday baking this past week too. If you want to have a look, its my latest post on my blog.

Such a pretty cookie! They look like the cutest little bites, too. I’ve never had a cookie (that I know of) of this kind (flavor-wise, I mean), so I’d be curious to taste one. Maybe I’ll see if I can find some locally.

I’ve never tried cardamom but I’ve heard of it especially on cooking programs. The tea cookies look super cute and super dainty. i think they would be perfect for a ladies afternoon tea get together. I might have to try them on day

Saffron in cookies ! Must be an interesting taste for something so rich in flavor for a sweet savory cookie! Ahh these remind me of chocolate chip cookies and I absolutely love anything dessert like ! xoxo